My Garden Retreat

My Garden Retreat
photo Gridley Graves for Country Living

View from my perch...and Tinker's 1st give-away

This morning...before I headed off to the store and on to other things,


I decided to drink my coffee from Tinkers perch.
It was cooler than it had been but normal for this time of year
So I turned the heat up in Tinker House and climbed a ladder to the perch.
Have I mentioned that I am afraid of heights?
Well, I am !
Really, really!
So that is why I installed a galvanized bucket on a pulley!


I climb up and pull the bucket up behind me!
Ta-da!
One less thing to drag along!


I am so thankful that we completed Tinker before the major cool down!
I have had so much fun doing even the most mundane chores out here!

Even Fall yard cleanup has been somewhat enjoyable this season!

Up here...I can survey my garden (and the lower level of Tinker)...see things from another perspective...
And just take a moment for myself!


Like everyone else I know...that in itself is a luxury!
I have a very busy schedule this  week but Tinker and I wanted to Thank you for all your sweet comments and encouragement to keep plugging along and get Tink finished!
So we (Tinker and I) are having a give-away!

This week....all you have to do is leave me a comment on this post and be a follower.
At the bottom of this page is my followers...please make sure you are down there. (we will after we draw!)

For a second entry  if you do a post on Tinker House come back and let me know...you will get another chance at the prize!
What it is?
Well, I have been working on my Tinker House Collection  for my etsy shops reopening next week...
It's one of our hanging galvanized buckets
But this bucket is burlap lined!
And filled with Some of my favorite Tinker things!
An Aqua leather bound journal. we use ours for garden thoughts!
My favorite chocolate...in an aqua bag!
And a surprise or two! but all are some of my faves!


Speaking of favorite things...
Have you stopped by Dee's adorable shop


Well... one of my favorite things that will be tucked into Tink's pail is from this darling shop!

Which one should I part with?
This little antique tin...


or this one?


I just can't decide so you get to choose!
I love them both!

So good luck and I will be back on Friday to draw the lucky winner.

And to share Chapter 2 of Christmas at Horton's!
I will have done another reset and I think you will like this one too!
So until next time...

80 comments

  1. I'm so glad I found your blog...& Horton's! Your Tinker retreat is unbelieveably beautiful!!! I don't do ladders anymore, but I'm afraid if I ever made it up in that perch, I would pull me up a pail of books & stay forever! I love it.

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  2. I don't do ladders anymore either. I am not afraid of heights, just can't get up there! Love the pulley of items..but then Tinker is adorable all the way around!

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  3. Donna, you have outdone yourself on this. A very special little place... Morning coffee/tea sounds delightful in here.

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  4. Sweetie, the Tinker House gets more lovely every time I see it. What a lovely glow in that first photo. Makes my heart all warm and happy.

    How ingenious to rig a pully system for bringing up things to your cute little perch. I am a little afraid of heights too, but I would imagine it's worth it to just be up there in your own little world.

    Yep, I'm a happy follower!

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  5. Tinker is precious!!!
    I've dreamed of Tinker my whole life. How did you get him?
    I think I'm a follower and will surely make a Tinker post very soon.

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  6. gosh i just love your Tinker....in some ways reminds my of my playhouse my grandpa built me....just amazing

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  7. i am a Tinker follower oh wait thats dreamer but i do follow you!!

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  8. I posted about Tinkere here:

    http://blissguild.blogspot.com/2010/11/smitten-tinker-house.html

    Enjoy your week!!!

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  9. LOVE LOVE LOVE it! Tinker is amazingly beautiful and magical!
    I'm a follower (you know) dear Donna!
    hugs and love,
    Debra

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  10. Hi Donna,
    I would love to enter your amazing giveaway! LOVE your perch...you may look outside someday and see me perched up there! LOL
    Hugs~

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  11. I am also a follower!!
    Hugs again~

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  12. I am a follower and I love, love, love your Tinker house! I want one of my own to get away to and garden or read a book. It is so beautiful!

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  13. So happy to find your charming blog. I am in love with Tinker house, such a lovely cozy place to read a book or write.

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  14. so glad you kept at it:) I love Tinker...perfect haven for a creative soul:)

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  15. Hi Donna,
    What a lovely giveaway...oh how I would love a gift from you with your extra special touches that you always add! You already know I am a follower!
    Oh, and love how you added the cozy chenille to your perch!
    Lisa

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  16. Oh, and later today I will do a post about Tinker on my blog!
    Hugs,
    Lisa

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  17. Your perch is amazing !!!! i really like it also your give away....i really can choose.......lovely week darling.....love Ria...

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  18. Hi Donna ~ What I wouldn't give for my own Tinker House. Its just perfect ~ the steaming cup of tea on the perch in the early morning....It does my heart good just to dream about it. The tins looks sooo cute. You are the master of the Vintage Vignette ~ Thanks for the shout out. Dee

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  19. Donna dearest, I can't even tell you how I loved these pictures of Tinker. They are stunning and really get me up close and personal. I felt like I was right there inside with you!
    I am afraid of heights too, and whenever I need to climb up to the loft in the studio my heart pounds out of my chest! This is a fear I really wish I could conquer, but so far it is still with me.
    What a wonderful giveaway to offer. Of course I am a follower (I'd follow ya anywhere girl!)
    I am really excited to see the part II of Horton's.

    I have to say it again...I LOVE Tinker so much.
    love to you...

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  20. It must be difficult to leave that place! I think I could daydream the day away!!

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  21. HI OK LETS JUST SAY IF I WERE THERE YOU BET ID CLIMB TEN LADDERS TO GET TO PERCH IN THE AMAZING PLACE BETTER KEEP THE COFFEE COMING CAUSE ID BE THERE A LONG TIME BEAUTIFUL WHAT CAN I SAY I BECAME A NEW FOLLOWER OF YOUR CANT WAIT FOR MORE A YOUR POSTS PLEASE JOIN ME AT MY NEW BLOG ABEACHHOUSEINMONTANA.BLOGSPOT XOXO SHERRI

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  22. I LOVE your Tinker. The colors are perfect and the details are so cute. Thank you for sharing it with us!!!

    best regards,
    Wanda

    wanda.contreras@yahoo.com

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  23. I love tinker house and anything from it would be a blessing. I am a new follower even though I have had your blog on my sidebar for months.

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  24. Donna , The Tinker House has to be the coolest thing I have seen on any blog. That morning view with the lights on is to die for. You must wake every day to work out there. LOVE IT! Judy

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  25. I love that house ....

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  26. I absolutely love your tinker house, love it! love it! I made my husband promise to make one for me, he said that I'll have it by summer next year, hopefully it looks as beautiful as yours. You are so talented! Thank you for being such an inspiration for me. I am a follower of your blog, don't miss a single post.

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  27. I am drooling over the little French chocolate tin! Oh how much I wish I had a Tinker house of my own! I keep showing my husband your everyday. I will have to tell him that is the only thing I want for Christmas in order to get it started. I adore it. What a special, cozy place.
    And of course, if I am not already, I will be a follower! Like the reader above, I do not want to miss a single post!
    xo~Dana

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  28. Oh I can't believe your Tinker house, it's gets better every time you show photos. I'd love to be entered into the giveaway, and I've been following for quite a while. Thanks for the chance!
    Blessings,
    Becky C

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  29. A post about Tinker is up on my blog! Thanks Donna!
    Lisa

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  30. Donna,

    Tinker House is amazing...
    I share your love of gardening - I garden in my PJ's too!

    Love,
    Anita
    xoxo

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  31. I love your tinker house -it has so much charm and a great place to take time out and view your garden.
    Great idea with the pulley-we use one to put garden stuff upstairs in our barn.
    Carolyn

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  32. what a perch...I never want to come down! Lezlee

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  33. Your tinker house is so lovely. I could just gaze at the pictures of it forever! I'm so glad to have found you. I've enjoyed the pics of Horton's too. You're so talented. What a wonderful giveaway. It couldn't be more perfect--so much AQUA too.

    I'm a follower. Ü

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  34. I've said it before and I'll say it again...Oh, how I love your Tinker House, Donna! The inside is even prettier than I imagined it to be. And, I swear on my house, I had already right-clicked and saved your Tinker images for a post but then you mentioned that you were showing off the inside soon so I waited. Anyhow, I follow ya & love ya. I will happily post Tinker on Weds. Lovely giveaway! Thanks for the intro to French Blue Vintage.

    Hugs,
    Jami

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  35. Donna,
    Iust love Tinker, what a peaceful place to hide, read, and create!

    I wish had one in my back yard!!

    Inspired holiday.
    xx
    Dore

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  36. i love your little tinker house! i would love to have one of my own someday!

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  37. What a beautiful place to find solitude!!! I would LOVE to read my favorite novel on that perch! Hmmm or some good vintage gardening books! Please ENTER me... I am a FOLLOWER!!! Have a wonderful day, Donna

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  38. It's just beautiful! You have a fabulous little sanctuary. I am a follower too. Love your blog. Do count me in please.

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  39. Just signed on. What a fun blog.
    Cute house!

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  40. What a lovely little spot! ...and decorated so beautifully!
    I will follow along...:)

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  41. Wherever you go in your little blog, I will follow.
    Tinker is lovely!

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  42. Wow is all I have to say about the TInker house.. I want one. I can see myself spending time with a cup of joe and a good book... Love the can too

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  43. I love French Bleu Vintage! Your pulley is too clever, I am so impressed! I love it! Count me in! XX!

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  44. Would love to Tinker here! You do such a great job - maybe someday, I will have my own little Tinker house - thanks for sharing. LOVE IT!

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  45. oh i would love to enter your fab giveaway! you know i love all you do... and i am a follower for sure.

    hugs,

    shelley

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  46. I'd love the chance to enter your wonderful giveaway.
    I'm a new follower.
    :o)
    pippirose59 at gmail dot com

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  47. I'm following and commenting and putting your giveaway button in my sidebar!

    I LOVE Tink! Congrats on your bliss.

    Sandy @ My Shabby Streamside Studio
    http://myshabbystreamsidestudio.blogspot.com/

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  48. what an idyllic spot! thx for sharing your lovely pix w/ us!
    your 274th follower! tea is on at FHC ~ Welcome..

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  49. please put me in your draw.... i think you might have a lot of hubbies worried... especially those who have windows, doors and other goodies stored in their shed! love it!!!

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  50. Love it, Donna! I know I've said it before, but it's amazing. You deserve to sit back and take it easy... I know, not easy but at least you have gorgeous eye candy to look at after all your hard work. Just keep plugging along, that's what I'm doing, so happy for you!

    I'm a follower here at your beautiful blog, please enter me. Love your hanging bucket, great idea.
    xoxo~Tracie

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  51. Tinker looks like Heaven to me =) Beautiful and so peaceful.....

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  52. I just found your blog through your comment over at Jami's Freckled Laundry. What a beautiful site you have! When I volunteered for Meals On Wheels, I had a gentleman that lived in an upstairs apartment, a Vietnam vet he was, and he would lower a bucket for me to put his food in and then rope it back up to his landing.
    Brenda

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  53. Tink Rocks...
    (and I understand family members are disqualified for the giveaway so that leaves me out!)

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  54. Donna, this is INCREDIBLE!!! WOW! I would loooove to have something like this in my backyard, you are very lucky!!!

    I mailed the discs with all of the pictures today, so you should have it by Friday! Thanks again for letting me be a part of your beautiful event!!!

    Hugs ~

    :) T

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  55. Donna - I am SO VERY in LOVE with your Tinker House. I did not know there was a little loft in there. OMG!!! I think I would never leave there. Every last detail attended to. I will have to study and restudy your beautiful pictures. You are one talented lady, my friend!!!!

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  56. I alos posted about your giveaway and the beautiful Tinker House... can I have please

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  57. i'm absolutely woozy with all that loveliness....i gotta check out this tinker!

    i'm so excited!!!!!!

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  58. Oh my,
    What a gorgeous place to relax!
    I just found your blog and I love it, it is just beautiful!!
    I can't wait to catch up on all of your lovely posts!
    Have a great night.
    Sincerely,
    Melinda

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  59. i just found your blog at Freckled Laundry.What a slice of heaven.Definitely becoming a follower and posting you as a favorite on my blog.

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  60. Just came over from Freckled Laundry. Your Tinkers Perch is one of the most amazing things I've seen. It's just beautiful. I think I looked over this post 3 or 4 times to look at each picture again and again. I instantly became a follower. Now, I'm off to look around at the rest of your posts!

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  61. Oh my gosh Donna ~
    Tinker House is absolutely
    beautiful !!
    I am not sure that
    I would want to leave :)

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  62. I just found your blog and that precious Tinker house. Wow, you really are creative I love it and your blog is beautiful!

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  63. Love the Tinker House... wish I had one... What a great giveaway.
    Love your blog and I'm a follower.
    Thanks

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  64. WOW! I think I am on visual overload this morning. I'm here by way of Freckled Laundry and I am so happy I dropped in because your blog is stunning! I am completely jealous of your little Tinker House. It's like a fairy tale come true. Then to top it off I get to have a chance at a giveaway of my dreams...I think I'm going to faint ; )

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  65. I just discovered your blog by way of Bliss Guild today! I'm in love with your little house...I'm a new follower!

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  66. Jumping around the blog world today looking for beautiful blogs for inspiration and I hit the jackpot when I found your's! What a wonderful nest you have built! I'm a new follower and will be back to visit again!

    I'm off to check out French Bleu Vintage too!

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  67. Well now I can dream about turning my little 40 year old garden shed into a dream Tinker Shed.

    Janice

    ps. I will take any tin

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  68. Donna,
    Your space is just magical! An absolute wonderland!

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  69. I love Tinker! I am sooo planning on creating my own outdoor building when the snow melts next spring. Very glad I discovered your blog!

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  70. We all should have a little house to tinker in!

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  71. I'm your newest follower, Donna - and I ADORE your style, girl! Tinker is just the greatest! What an inspirational place to garden and dream...... :)

    And thanks for offering this wonderful holiday giveaway!

    xoxo laurie

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  72. I'll be posting your great giveaway on my blog's sidebar tonight! :)

    Thanks again!!

    xoxo laurie

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  73. Hi. I just found your blog. Hope it's not too late to enter your giveaway. You have a lovely blog, and I am your newest follower.
    ~ Julie

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  74. Your Tinker is absolutely heavenly and your giveaway is so sweet and generous. I'm already a loyal follower of your lovely blog. Thank you so much.

    Abby:)

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  75. Hi Donna, found you at Alice's blog. What an adorable Tinker house, by heart is pounding from the sweetness of it. How lucky to have such a sweet refuge. I am very jealous. I used to climb up to the top shelf inside my grandmother's old house closets. Loved the height, solitude. Needed a pulley then!! Great idea. Enjoy your darling space, and the warmth it gives you. Riki

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  76. Hi Donna! Found you on Alice's blog also. Down here in Texas you'd still need a fan, or maybe even an AC in the Tinker House, at least in the day light. What a lovely place to get away, or have your morning coffee! I can't wait to see your store.

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Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to leave me a comment!
I love reading them~they truly make my day!
~Donna Reyné